Try watching on tv how them Senators do their debate on the Bills passed from Dewan Rakyat.

I promise you, your ‘gaping in surprise’ mouth will need to be forced shut. Mine never failed to contort into a giant O shape whenever I happened to be unfortunate enough to watch a Dewan Negara in session.

The standard no brainer inquiry would range from “Boleh jelaskan apakah definasi …?” (for more added fun, you can fill out this blank with your personal favorite subject of concern). Or, “Apakah fungsi kementerian dalam menangani isu …? (again, fill out with your personal favorite subject of the day)

… and I thought all Senators are appointed for their rendered distinguished public service or have achieved distinction in the professions, commerce, industry, agriculture, cultural activities or social service? Remember, Senators get appointed as national gatekeepers to check and countercheck on Dewan Rakyat’s Bill, specifically to debate its legitimacy or constitutionality before sending it through to the Yang Di Pertuan Agong.

Heck… reduce their salaries for even dared to ask for salary increment at taxpayers’ expense in this difficult economy.

Read below report for yourself to see how confused them Senators are about their duties and responsibilities.

It’s high time for direct election of Senators!

(Apologies to newly appointed Senate President Wong Foon Meng, you’re alright as a Speaker, its just them on the floor who’s clearly not cut out to perform such heavy duties that makes me hopping mad.)

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Senators say more money will help them help you

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Some senators today proposed that the government increase their salary, allowances and allocations for them to serve the people more effectively.

Senator Datuk Akbar Ali said senators received smaller allocations from the members of parliament as the senators were not allocated a constituency unlike the assemblymen and MPs.

“But our area is bigger, it’s a whole state, whole of Malaysia. So, I suggest our salary, allowances and allocations be increased.

“With the increase, I believe we will be able to carry out our tasks and responsibilities more efficiently, in line with the emphasis on making people the priority as contained in the 1 Malaysia concept,” he said when debating the Enforcement Agency Integrity Bill 2009 in the Dewan Negara today.

Akbar said currently, the salary and allowances for senators were at par with Grade 54 in the public sector, and he also asked that the allocation be RM200,000 annually and not for three years.

“We are the lawmakers, but our salary is below that of Jusa C. What’s wrong with allocating each of us RM200,000 a year to facilitate our implementation of the “people first” concept?”, he said.

Senator Tan Sri Jins Shamsudin interjected Akbar’s debate speech, saying that the allocation given to the senators was insufficient as they too served the people.

“I often speak at ceramah and there people approach me for donations. I contribute from my allocation. I finished all of last year’s allocation as that’s my contribution as a member of the Dewan Negara (Senate).

“If the allocation is finished before the year ends, we should be able to ask for an additional allocation as it’s not for us but for the people,” he said.

Akbar said the insufficient allowances and allocations could result in senators looking for other means to raise funds and this could result in conflict of interest or even wrongdoing, thus tarnishing the integrity of the Senate.